Amy Berna releases new single 

'Hold On'

Read below for the story behind this encouraging song.

The Story of 'Hold On'

Hold On

I was in such a state of disappointment in my life, with so many unfulfilled dreams and desires.  With no change in sight I found myself at the piano once again trying to play, but no melody seemed to come.  In frustration, these words flowed from the depths of my heart, "when my melody is gone, and there's no words to sing my song".  

I was having a pity party and honestly didn't want to invite anyone.

I struggled to write more to this song but no matter how hard I tried the words just wouldn't come.  One night at church, a guest minister was finishing up his message when he invited me to the piano to play a closing song.  As I approached the piano he stopped me and said, "Amy, play that song!"  That song?  What song?  "That song" could have been any one of the billion songs we worship leaders keep in our mental catalog for any given moment.  I stopped and looked at his face.  He said, "You know, that song that you play when you're all alone and you feel all hope is gone."  Immediately I knew what song he was talking about.  My pity party song!

I had almost reached the piano when he looked at me once more and said, "and by the way Amy, God says 'Hold on, you're gonna make it!"  Those words came upon me like a strong fresh wind.  It was such a lifeline thrown to me at a time when I felt such a pull to throw in the towel.  I went home that night and the whole focus had somehow changed.  It was no longer my pity party.  I was suddenly aware of others that may have been feeling just like I was.  Deep within me I knew that I wouldn't give up but I was very aware of the fact that I was so weighed down with frustration.  Too many times we make decisions in that state, in the darkness of midnight when hope comes in waiting upon God, joy comes in the morning.  That night the Lord gave me the rest of the song which is now known as "Hold On".  

The Nashville Flood

Embassy Music's staff is grateful to be safe and dry during this tragic time in Nashville, TN. Thank you so much for all of your caring calls, emails and thoughts of concern as well as your continued prayers. Unfortunately, not everyone in the Middle Tennessee area was as fortunate. Many people lost their homes and businesses and many Nashville landmarks were ruined- including the Opryland Resort where we have hosted so many of our seminars and showcases throughout the years.  

CLOVERTON ROCKS THE CAMP!!

Nashville, TN -- New Christian Music recording artists Cloverton seriously  “Rocked the Camp!”  The group was selected as the grand prize winner for Toby Mac’s Rock the Camp contest.  They will open for mega Christian artist Toby Mac, record with Grammy and Dove award winner Paul Ebersold and perform on the K Love Christian Family Cruise during the month of February.

Camp Electric, based out of Nashville, and its partners, teach young musicians the ropes in the Christian Music Industry.  The Rock the Camp competition is held over a period of months and fans send in votes for their favorite new artist.  A panel of industry experts votes on the final five performers/bands left at the end of the vote.

“This is an amazing opportunity for us and gives us such great exposure!  A HUGE thank you goes out to all of you who helped us make it to the final round by voting for us daily, “said Lance Stafford, lead singer for the band.  “We are so excited to see what unfolds in the next few months. In the meantime, we'll be fine-tuning our songs to open for Toby Mac in July, and updating our passports for the K-Love cruise in February!  Glory to Him! “

Always there to help in the community, Cloverton has been busy promoting their new music and helping to revive Haiti relief awareness.  Cloverton has mounted its own campaign for Haitian earthquake victims. The centerpiece of the campaign, dubbed “Hope Inside for Haiti” and inspired by Cloverton’s nationally aired single “Hope Inside,” consists of a free download of the single for fans who make a donation to World Vision.  To check out their music and make a donation click onto myspace.com/cloverton.

Based out of “The Little Apple,” in Manhattan, KS, Cloverton received their break in early 2008 when Lance took top honors at Embassy Music’s Ultimate Talent Search; the same event that has launched numerous artists including Dove & Grammy nominated, Leeland. The band’s central theme is simple: pointing people to a right relationship with God.

Embassy's Latest Ultimate Talent Search 

Our most recent UTS Artist and Songwriter conference was held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Resort this past February 27^th, 2010 with a showcase performance held at the Red Rooster in Nashville, TN.  The talented artists and songwriters who attended the weekend long event flew in from all across the nation hailing from states such as Oregon and Florida. Our event this year was focused around the relief effort for Haiti. Partnering with World Vision, Embassy Music made this February conference a Haitian relief benefit. Donations were made by the generous singers and songwriters to help World Vision and their efforts to assist Haiti and its people during this time of crisis.

The conference began with workshops covering all aspects of the music industry, including performance, songwriting, radio, management and A&R. In between classes attendees auditioned for industry professionals and finalists performed later that night at the Embassy showcase. From the 60 artist and songwriters who attended the conference, Stephanie Moore and Joshua Eric Wright won for best songwriter and best artist, respectively.

Embassy is looking forward to putting on more conferences in the upcoming year, and hopes to continue helping artists and songwriters hone their craft and learn about the music industry.

Embassy Music's Ultimate Talent Search judges and winners from left to right: Wally Nason, Julie Branham, Stephanie Moore and husband Ryan (Songwriter Winner), Joshua Eric Wright (Artist Winner), Darwin Moody.